Alumni Frequently-Asked-Questions

Q: How do I sign up for an
Alumni trip?

A: Click on any alumni trip listed on snowcamping.org to go the SFBay
Chapter Activities Calendar
, where you will be able to register your interest
in the trip.The leader will then
contact you to confirm suitability and request payment.You can also look for trips directly on the
Activities Calendar on the Chapter
website.

Q: How
are alumni trips announced? Is there a mailing list for announcements that
I can subscribe to?

A: New alumni trips are posted snowcamping.org and the SF Bay
Chapter Activities Calendar. Periodic announcements are also sent via email to
the Snowcamping-Alumni-News email list. If you are interested in subscribing to
that list, submit the request form on the "Contact Us" page.

Q: Can anyone post
announcements to the snowcamping news email list? Do I need to worry about
receiving spam from the list?

A:Snowcamping-Alumni-News is a moderated
list, so you will not receive spam as a result of subscribing. Only the Alumni
Trip Coordinators are able to authorize messages to the list.

Q: I have a question about
an alumni trip - how do I get in touch with the alumni leaders?

A: Contact the leader listed on the Trip Posting by email.

Q: I'd like to propose and
lead an alumni trip! What is required to become the leader of an alumni
trip?

A: We are always looking for qualified leaders to lead Alumni
trips during the upcoming season.

Leading an alumni trip is a great opportunity to take a group out snowcamping
to a place you want to go, with the activity level you prefer. For those interested in moving into a
leadership role, this is a chance to develop your wilderness leadership skills.

All Alumni trips require at least one qualified trip leader.
Qualified to lead means:

Alumni of the Sierra Club
Snowcamping Training Series

Graduate of the Club’s
Outdoor Leader training program (OLT201), whether with taken with the
Snowcamping Section or another group

Previous experience as an
assistant leader on an alumni trip

Comfort with map and
compass navigation skills in winter conditions

Leaders must have current 16-hour Wilderness First Aid
certificate. New leaders are welcome and encouraged, but must partner with an experienced
trip leader.

Q: What information should I
submit for my alumni trip proposal?

A: The more information you can provide, the better, but the
alumni trip coordinators are happy to help you put together your trip. An
initial proposal might include only a trip name, brief description, and leader
contact information. A final trip proposal will typically include:

A trip name (required)

A brief trip
description (required)

The name and contact number
of the leader(s) (required)

A trip location, trailhead,
and destination

An estimate of round-trip
distance and elevation gain/loss

A proposed start and end
date, and the number of days/nights on the trail

A rating, e.g.:

Easy: Anyone of moderate fitness can
participate. Hike is fairly short with moderate gradient change, or
longer with little gradient and a slower pace. Requires only the basic
skills from the Training Series.

Intermediate:Most of moderate and better fitness could
participate, though one should expect a higher magnitude of intensity
with potentially steeper gradient change and/or longer duration hikes
with fewer breaks. Participants should be fully proficient in basic snow
camping skills. Special gear maybe required.

Advanced:Indicates
that a high level of fitness is required. Participants will be reviewed
in a discretionary approval process that may include a prerequisite.
Strong snow camping skills expected and required. Special skills and/or
gear may be required. Hikes may be longer, steeper and at a faster pace.

Leadership:Limited to leaders and assistant leaders from all
groups (guest professionals excepted.)

A list of prerequisites and
special equipment required, if any

A maximum group size

Names of potential
assistant leaders

Q: I'm qualified and would
really like to propose a trip, but I don't have any good trip ideas. Do
you have any suggestions?

A: Trips possibilities can include fun themes and specialized
training components, as well as trips that offer greater physical challenges
and require a higher level of fitness and possibly prerequisites to make the
roster. Basic trips where the art of relaxation is key are also encouraged.

We have put together a list of ideas that might whet your
appetite - feel free to use these ideas outright or use them to help kick-start
your own creativity:

New Years
Eve trip - A party trip to
kick off the season. A chance to discuss the coming snowcamping season,
and ring in the New Year in snowcamping style.

Lassen Summit trip - The goal of this trip would be an
attempt to summit Mount Lassen. Participants might be required to
participate in a prerequisite trip, as this trip would require a faster
pace over a greater distance and steeper terrain.

Gourmet trip - Although some food groups might brag
about their gourmet skills, this trip would be geared toward really
showing off those culinary talents and allowing everyone to reap the
rewards. Teams could provide different parts of each meal to create a
multi-course gourmet dinner. This trip would of course also require a
superior snow kitchen. Freeze-dried food would be strictly forbidden!

Trek - Longer trips of 3, 4, 5, or more days
offer expanded opportunities by moving camp for each day. Trips could
range in difficulty from short daily hikes to longer, more-strenuous
affairs with geographic goals in mind such as circumnavigating Mount
Shasta, or even traversing the Sierra.

Igloo 101 - This trip would focus on skills
related to snow construction, using blocks of snow to build a number of different
shelter types more elaborate than the basic trench or snow cave. A snow
saw might be required.

Shelter Madness - Now that you have some skill in snow
construction, use that skill to compete for the title of most elaborate,
wackiest, or most beautiful shelter. Lights, candles, and all other means
of enhancement encouraged.

Pioneers - Trips specifically designed to
venture into a new area, to explore new hard-to-get to destinations, or
to scout out new places for use as Training group destinations. Such
trips might involve the use (or even construction) of a snow sled to
facilitate gear transport.

Avalanche Training - A special guest professional could
provide training in avalanche awareness and rescue while the group is out
in the actual environment in which such skills might need to be used.

Winter Photography - Winter provides a wonderful set of
opportunities (and challenges!) to photographers. Such a trip could be an
opportunity for photo-enthusiasts to discuss and compare techniques, as
well as gather pictures for future slideshows.

Late Season Trips - The normal training series
snowcamping season ends long before the snowcamping possibilities have
ended. Why not offer a spring trip to extend the snowcamping season for
another month or two? There's nothing like snow camping in shorts!

Q: I'm not qualified to lead
an alumni trip, but I'd really like to go on a trip to XXX (insert cool
destination) - is there any hope?

A: Even if you aren't yet qualified to lead an alumni trip, you
can team up with a qualified leader to assist in leading an Alumni trip.If you are interested, look out for messages
from Snowcamping-Alumni-News about pre-season trip planning or contact one of
the Alumni Trip Coordinators.